Top Hells Angel pursues bail for holidays

THE head of the Manitoba Hells Angels wants to go home for the holidays.

Dale Sweeney, the president of the local chapter, appeared in court Tuesday for a two-day bail hearing. A court-ordered ban prevents specific details of the case from being published. Sweeney is being represented by high-powered Ontario defence lawyer Alan Gold, who has made a career out of defending members of the Hells Angels.

Sweeney, 41, has been in custody since March 2012 following his arrest as part of a major undercover police project that nabbed him and 10 other gang members and associates.

Police seized an estimated two kilograms of cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash and laid various charges, including trafficking, possessing the proceeds of crime, money laundering and participating in a criminal organization.